Skip ahead some, and here’s the text of a note Roch recently received from Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk, which he generously shares with us:

“Bonjour M. Carrier. I am Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk. I had the privilege last year to fly aboard the International Space Station for six months. This spaceflight was a personal thrill and the highlight of my professional career.

“I had the opportunity to fly a small number of personal objects in space with me. Since astronauts are advocates for literacy, I chose to fly a copy of your book Le Chandail de Hockey. This book is a classic within our national culture and you are a great Canadian author. I would be pleased to present this book to you if you would like to have it.

A few months before he passed away in 1997, my father gave me my most treasured possession in the world — a copy of The Hockey Sweater. The book embodies for me almost every cozy thought I can imagine. It contains memories of a love for the Habs that I shared with my amazing father.

Not only an accomplished scientist but a great guy as well. Very classy. It should remind us all to treasure our authors and journalists as much as we do our sports heroes – well, maybe the Habs are an exception.